The HR Life Podcast

In this week's episode, the guys talk with Tami Bajema about the revolutionary idea that weaknesses are just strengths turned up a little too high.  Tami talks about helping people find their Super Powers (the intersection of what they're good at, what they like to do, and their perseverance/marketability) starting in elementary school and during interviews.  She talks about what happened when she discovered that there wasn't a labor pool for the kind of skills she needed and how an accredited tech school came out of it.  We also discover in this episode that Steve fought at the battle of Endor. 

Trigger warning: People who had relatives on Endor may find some of the casual references to the cuteness of the Ewoks disturbing. 

Tami Bajema is the Director of Staffing and Talent Development at Belt Power, where she leads with nearly 20 years of experience in Human Resources and a passion for ethical, people-centered strategy. With three HR degrees and a career spanning global and small businesses, her expertise covers the full HR spectrum—from performance management and succession planning to ATS algorithms and recruiting strategy. 
What sets Tami apart is her commitment to making career development accessible and meaningful for everyone—from 5th graders to seasoned professionals. She is the creator of the “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?” initiative, a program that helps people of all ages explore their strengths and align them with purposeful career paths. Whether she’s teaching students how to identify their Superpowers or coaching recruiters on hiring for retention through transparency and authenticity, Tami brings emotional intelligence, practical insight, and a deep belief in the power of human connection. 
Her mission is simple: to help people thrive in their work by simplifying professional development, promoting self-awareness, and building win-win hiring strategies that last.

Learn more about Tami Bajema at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-bajema-phr-65a50130/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Find a list of all of the books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Tony and Steve encourage you to support The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/


Creators and Guests

Host
Steven "Bid Deal" Smith
Steve will be the first to tell you that recruiting is marketing. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance at Brigham Young University and started his career in recruiting in Feb 2005. In 2008, he took a risk during a recession to help start a new company with Ryan Kohler, called ApplicantPro, a full suite HR platform for small to mid-sized businesses. In March 2025, ApplicantPro became iSolved Talent Acquisition, now serving 177,000 clients and close to 9800 employees. Before the merger, ApplicantPro made the Inc 5000 list 12 years in a row, Top Places to work in Utah 3 years in a row, and Steve was named the Small Business Utah HR Achievement Award winner in May 2024. iSolved was also named an Indeed Platinum Partner in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and is one of only ten ATS platforms in the country to obtain that designation. SHRM-CP & PHR certified, Steve currently volunteers on the Utah SHRM State Council as the immediate past State Executive Director. His book, The Hiring Tree: Laws of Applicant Attraction, was released in early 2023, and has helped thousands of organizations across the country rethink their approach to hiring. If you need help understanding the principles and role of SEO, marketing, and AI when it comes to attracting job seekers, Steve provides a solid framework for hiring effectively.
Host
Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin
I am a unique HR leader with more than 20 years’ experience working for some of Utah’s oldest, fastest growing, and most well-known companies. My experience includes Superior Drilling Products, Air Medical Resource Group, Control4, Ovivo USA and Deseret Book. I am a regionally recognized authority on building successful cultures and am an alumni speaker at DisruptHR SLC and DisruptHR St. George. I have earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, and am a certified Professional of Human Resources (PHR). I'm married to a woman out of my league, have three brilliant kids I doesn’t deserve and, although I travel a lot, live in Vernal, Utah.

What is The HR Life Podcast?

The HR Life Podcast is a show about the work-life experience of those of us in Human Resources and business leadership. This long-form podcast is a conversation, casual, and not always the corporate line. Hosts and guests touch on everything from serious or even controversial topics to the absurdity of modern American business practices. Your hosts are Tony Benjamin, owner and founder of The Grange Strategic HR Consulting, and Steven J. Smith, Author of The Hiring Tree: Laws of Applicant Attraction and all-around important guy. Guests include the best minds in the HR world. Join the show weekly.